Leonard Fournette isn’t guaranteed a starting spot with LSU

Posted by Brent Sobleski on August 10, 2014, 7:55 PM EST

LSU running back Leonard Fournette is supposed to be college football’s next big thing. Despite the hype that comes along with being the No. 1 running back recruit in the nation, Fournette isn’t even guaranteed to start for the Tigers this season.

Seniors Kenny Hilliard and Terrence Magee aren’t simply going to hand Fournette the starting spot. And the two veterans are making it hard on LSU’s coaching staff.

The assumption is Fournette will be the opening-day starter at running back, but the decision has yet to be made.

LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron doesn’t seem to have a preference which back eventually becomes the team’s starter. Cameron is happy with the depth he has at the position.

“This is how Cam calls it. He says, ‘We have our first starter, our second starter, our third starter, and our fourth starter. Just rotate them in.’”

Last season, Magee and Hilliard combine to rush for 936 yards, despite playing behind the ultra-productive Jeremy Hill.

It may actually take some time before Fournette earns the trust of the coaching staff and his teammates.

“He’s a freshman tailback for us who we see as a freshman tailback for us,” Wilson said. “He can’t control the media hype. He’s extremely humble and works extremely hard.”

Once Fournette gets on the field, he’s expected to make a major impact. LSU will benefit from the most talented stable of running backs in college football, whether Fournette becomes the starter or not.

So Fournette isn’t “guaranteed” a starting spot ( wink wink ). I don’t really care…he will see the field, and the field will see…the back of his jersey.

southernpatriots says:Aug 11, 2014 12:20 PM

Fournette will earn his way on to the field and into the starting lineup. I have never known any player at LSU to guaranteed a starting job, and likely never will be.

Leonard may not be starting for a few games since he just arrived at LSU this month. That does not give him much time to learn the plays, learn the players, practice, etc. Other good RBs have that experience and knowledge and will likely start.

By the time of the kickoff for the SEC schedule he will be starting and by the third game he will either be mowing over defenses and around them, or be such a focus for them that Harris or Jenkins and various receivers will make huge gains.